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BEMIDJI 鈥� When people grow up on a farm it becomes not only part of their story, but part of their identity, and the Gullicksrud family is no exception.

Established in 1924, the Gullicksrud family farm has served many purposes over the years from harvesting hay and grain to raising dairy cows, but to the people growing up on the land, it's always meant a whole lot more than what it was producing.

This summer, the farm added a new chapter to its family story when it was selected as one of 97 recipients of the University of Minnesota鈥檚

Charley Gilbert / Bemidji Pioneer

To qualify, farms have to be in continuous family ownership for at least a century, be at least 50 acres and use the land for agricultural production.

Upon selection, Century Farm families receive a commemorative sign, as well as a certificate signed by the Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau presidents and Gov. Tim Walz. Since the program began in 1976, more than 11,000 Minnesota farms have been recognized as Century Farms.

The homestead began when Ole C. Gullicksrud from Strum, Wis., purchased what is now known as the Gullicksrud farm back in 1924.

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According to the family, he traded a 40-acre piece of fertile farmland in Wisconsin for 120 acres of sandy soil in Minnesota.

Although that may not seem like much of a deal on paper, Ole was able to make use of the land by clearing trees and harvesting hay and grain.

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His son, Leonard, joined him when he was in his early teens.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 all who lived here at the time,鈥� recalled Leonard鈥檚 daughter, Julie Zeto. 鈥淕randpa and Dad.鈥�

Ole鈥檚 original garage that once housed his Model-T cars still stands tall on the grassy plains, with a doctor鈥檚 buggy inside that belonged to Leonard鈥檚 stepmother, Minnie, who would use it to travel to Wilton for supplies.

Charley Gilbert / Bemidji Pioneer

Leonard took after his father with his knack for creating things. While he actively farmed hay and grain he also was a contractor with heavy equipment in the area.

According to the family, he did a lot of bulldozing, along with building and clearing township roads, but one of his most impressive accomplishments was working on the construction of the Duluth airport.

Leonard鈥檚 son, Steve, added that his father also served in World War II, recalling the details of his service and how farming prepared him for great success.

鈥淗e enlisted around June 1944 and was there until the end of the war,鈥� Steve said of his dad. 鈥淗e was a tank commander at the Battle of the Bulge.鈥�

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The demands of the farm turned out to be preparation for the military as Leonard ended up serving as a tank commander handling heavy machinery.

鈥淗e drove bulldozers before he went to war,鈥� Steve noted.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 probably why he was so qualified for the position,鈥� Julie chimed in.

A couple of years after the war, Leonard married Elsie in 1951 and they had five children: Julie, Mark, Carolyn, Steve and Lori.

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As the Gullicksrud family has continued to grow over the years, those marrying into the family have also assumed some of the culture farm life brings.

Even though Gabrielle鈥檚 husband, Daniel, and Julie鈥檚 husband, Dennis, weren鈥檛 raised in a farming family, but have happily joined all that comes with the farm lifestyle.

The family members shared how the farm has always been something that tied them all together. In the midst of change and growth, the land has served functional purposes but has also been a source of joy, life lessons, core memories and identity.

鈥淚 think there's a work ethic with farmers,鈥� Julie鈥檚 daughter, Gabrielle Bruce explained. 鈥淚've had many people catch me doing something and they're like, 鈥榃hy do you think you can do this?鈥� And I've actually said, 鈥業 was raised by a farmer's daughter.鈥欌��

While many of the Gullicksruds family may not be farming the land to the degree they once did, Gabrielle is keeping things buzzing with a new endeavor 鈥� beekeeping.

鈥淚 think even if you asked me, 鈥榃hat makes you think you can be a beekeeper?鈥� I would say, 鈥淲hy not? What makes you think not?鈥欌�� Gabrielle said.

Charley Gilbert / Bemidji Pioneer

She added that she has come a long way since starting out with the project in 2021, thanks to a lot of online support and local mentorship from other area beekeepers.

鈥淚n reality, we鈥檝e learned as we went and that鈥檚 how I understand most beekeepers figure it out,鈥� she said. 鈥淓very hive is different. Every year is different.鈥�

As the Gullicksrud family looks to the century ahead, they plan to continue to pass down the stories of the farm and keep the legacy alive with each generation that follows.

鈥淕rowing up on a farm is the best,鈥� Julie left off. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always been part of our life.鈥�

Charley Gilbert / Bemidji Pioneer